Stadium Evacuation Last Night, Real Madrid

Against a background of a bomb scare and stadium evacuation last night, Real Madrid were left a massive 11 points adrift of leaders Barcelona when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu last night.

Real took the lead when Ronaldo lashed home just before the break, but Sociedad’s lively Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci levelled the game midway through the second with another great finish.

Sociedad made a bright start on their return to the Bernabeu. Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci skimmed the post with a fierce snap shot in the early moments.

Young right-back Iban Zubiarre got in behind the Real defence soon after but Ivan Helguera managed to take the pace off his shot as he lunged for the ball.

Real eventually managed to gain control of the possession but were rarely able to make any inroads into the well-drilled Sociedad defence and their only shot on goal in the first half hour came from Roberto Carlos.

The quick-breaking Sociedad continued to look dangerous in attack, the live-wire Nihat firing a stinging free-kick at Real keeper Iker Casillas on 33 minutes after he had been brought down on the edge of the area.

But just as the home crowd were beginning to lose their patience Real awoke from their slumber and laid siege to the Sociedad area.

David Beckham, who had what was probably his best game since returning from his rib injury last month, floated a succession of dangerous crosses into the area. Ronaldo looked certain to score when Sociedad keeper Asier Riesgo found himself stranded outside his area after he raced to clear, but the Brazilian rushed his shot and fired the ball over the bar.

Two minutes later, however, he made no mistake when he produced a classy finish to put Real ahead after Beckham and Michel Salgado had made room for themselves on the right.

Controlling Salgado’s cross with his chest, he took a step back as the ball dropped and then lashed home with his left foot before the Sociedad defence had time to react.

Real had several good chances to extend their lead at the start of the second half, Zidane forcing a fine save from Asier Riesgo when he fired in on the half-volley and Beckham going close with a trademark free kick.

Darko Kovacevic helped his side grab the all-important equaliser when he outjumped the Real defence, nodded a cross down to Nihat who smashed home with an acrobatic finish.

Real Madrid (4-4-2): Casillas; Salgado, Helguera, Samuel, Roberto Carlos; Figo (Owen 75), Beckham, Guti, Zidane; Raul, Ronaldo

Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Riesgo; Zubiaurre, Labaka, Luiz Alberto, Garrido; Prieto, Aranburu, Alkiza (Arteta 67), Gabilondo; Nihat, Kovacevic.